#1: [02-Feb-03]

25-Jan-2008 --

Time: 5:45 pm
GPS Error: 8 meters
Altitude: 342 meters

This degree confluence lies within a wilderness area where the only visible human activity is oil and gas exploration. The topography is generally flat with minor undulation. The area immediately surrounding this confluence is black spruce muskeg. The larger surrounding area is characterized by low lying sloughs, willow swamp and muskeg, with occasional patches of larger spruce and aspen.

I was in the area helping to move a drilling rig when I discovered I was near this degree confluence. Clearly the seismic exploration underway during Dennis Weeks' visit in 2003 produced some positive results. Although daylight was fading quickly, it seemed unlikely there would be another opportunity, so I decided to locate the confluence and take what photographs I could. I accessed this confluence from an ice road/cutline which nearly traces 118 degrees west longitude, approximately 21.5 kilometers west of highway 35 on the Zama City road. The confluence lies about 12 km south of the Zama City road.

At the time of my visit the temperature was -15C and there was roughly 45 cm of snow on the ground.

Summertime access to this area would be quite difficult given the amount of muskeg and water in the area. Some form of amphibious vehicle would likely be required.